2984. Three principal points in the manner of taking exercise are necessary to be attended to:—1. The kind of exercise. 2. The proper time for exercise. 3. The duration of it.
2985. With respect to the kinds of exercise, the various species of it may be divided into active and passive. Among the first, which admits of being considerably diversified, may be enumerated, walking, running, leaping, swimming, riding, fencing, the military exercise, different sorts of athletic games, &c.
2986. Among the latter, or passive kinds of exercise, may be comprised riding in a carriage, sailing, friction, swinging, &c.
2987. The first, or active exercises, are more beneficial to youth, to the middle-aged, to the robust in general, and particularly to the corpulent and the plethoric.
2988. The second or passive kinds of exercise, on the contrary, are better calculated for children; old, dry, and emaciated persons of a delicate and debilitated constitution; and particularly to the asthmatic and consumptive.